African Cities Innovation Fund (ACIF): Grants Up to USD 75,000 for Urban Innovators in Africa

                                                                                   

African cities are growing at an unprecedented pace, bringing both immense opportunities and complex challenges. From housing and transportation to health, climate resilience, and digital inclusion, urban innovators play a critical role in shaping the future of African cities.

To support this mission, the Million Lives Collective, in partnership with the Judith Neilson Foundation, has launched the African Cities Innovation Fund (ACIF), a powerful funding opportunity offering grants of up to USD 75,000 to support collaborative, high-impact urban solutions across Africa.

 

What Is the African Cities Innovation Fund (ACIF)?

The African Cities Innovation Fund (ACIF) is designed to catalyze collaborative innovation that leads to smart, healthy, equitable, and resilient cities in Africa. The fund specifically targets urban challenges affecting low-income populations, with a strong focus on people living on less than USD 5.50 per day in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Rather than funding isolated ideas, ACIF emphasizes partnership-driven solutions, encouraging innovators to work together to design, test, and pilot practical interventions that improve everyday urban life.

 

Who Can Apply?

ACIF is open to:

• Pairs of African innovators (individuals, startups, NGOs, social enterprises, researchers, or practitioners).
• Innovators working on urban development, public health, climate resilience, mobility, housing, sanitation, energy, or digital solutions.
• Teams committed to co-creation, experimentation, and piloting solutions in African cities.

Applicants must demonstrate a strong understanding of the urban problem they aim to solve and how their collaboration brings complementary skills and perspectives.

 

Funding Details

• Grant amount: Up to USD 75,000
• Funding type: Pilot and innovation grant
• Application deadline: Ongoing (early applications encouraged)
• Geographic focus: African cities, with emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa

The funding supports the design, testing, and early implementation of innovative urban solutions with the potential for scale and long-term impact.

 

Why This Fund Matters

Many urban challenges in Africa disproportionately affect low-income communities, yet these communities are often excluded from innovation processes. ACIF directly addresses this gap by supporting solutions that:

• Improve urban livelihoods
• Promote equity and inclusion
• Strengthen city resilience to economic, social, and climate shocks
• Encourage collaboration across sectors and disciplines

By backing early-stage pilots, ACIF helps turn bold ideas into tested solutions that cities can adopt and scale.

How to Apply for the African Cities Innovation Fund

Interested applicants can apply online through the official application link:

👉 Apply here: OfficialWebsite

Because the call is ongoing, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as their proposal is ready.

Conclusion

The African Cities Innovation Fund (ACIF) represents a major opportunity for African innovators passionate about building better cities for all—especially for communities most at risk of being left behind. If you are working on a collaborative urban solution with real potential for impact, this fund could be the catalyst you need.

Don’t miss the chance to transform an idea into a city-changing innovation.